So far we have only learnt how to open the bidding and how to respond to partner’s opening bid. It’s much more fun, though, if everyone is bidding. If you bid after your opponents have opened the bidding, you are an overcaller .

The rules are now different. Instead of trying to get to game, you are attempting to:

Steal the contract

Obstruct the opponents

Suggest a lead to partner

If you have a good 5-card suit you can simply bid that suit even with less than 12 TP. All you promise is a good suit, so partner shouldn’t expect a lot of points. A good rule of thumb for a good suit is that you should have 2 honors.

Your right-hand opponent bids 1 ♥ . What is your bid?

Hand 1.

Your Hand♠ K Q J 10 9♥ A 6 2♦ 8 7 4♣ 9 3

Your Bid1♠. You have a good suit and points aren’t important when you are overcalling.

Hand 2.

Your Hand♠ 9 7 6 3 2♥ A 6 2♦ A Q 6♣ K 3

Your BidPass. You have lots of points, but a bad suit. Don’t overcall 1♠. That would promise a good suit.